THE leader of Newcastle City Council has added his voice to a revolt over the Coalition Government's programme of cuts.

Coun David Faulkner signed an open letter from 91 Lib Dems arguing the current plans to slash spending will damage the economy and hit the most vulnerable hardest.

The town hall chiefs accused Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles of "letting down" users of council services and not listening to their views.

In the letter, published in the Times newspaper, they say local government has already made cost savings and that the size of cuts councils have to make in the next financial year will damage the services on which people depend.

The letter says: "These cuts will have an undoubted impact on all frontline council services, including care services to the vulnerable.

"Rather than assist the country’s recovery by making savings to the public in a way that can protect local economies and the front line, the cuts are structured in such a way that they will do the opposite."

In response, Lib Dem Communities Minister Andrew Stunell called on the party not to fall out over “pointless debate“.